Beaulieu Vineyard founder Georges De Latour played a critical role in Napa Valley’s development. Among other things, he imported phylloxera resistant rootstocks, weathered Prohibition, and hired Andre Andre Tchelistcheff. BV’s Private Reserve has always been a benchmark of Napa Valley Cab for many years.

The late 19th century witnessed the destruction of vineyards all over California by phylloxera. But there was hope, and his name was Georges de Latour.

Georges de Latour imported millions of Phylloxera resistant root stocks to California, helping countless vintners in the process. Although the rootstocks were critically important, some would argue that de Latour’s most lasting legacy was hiring a young winemaker named Andre Tchelistcheff. Tchelistcheff was the head winemaker at BV for many years and became extremely influential in his own right.

The current winemaking team at BV upholds the traditions established by de Latour and Tchelistcheff. Beaulieu Vineyard recently announced a major restructuring of its production facilities. Their plant in Rutherford will now focus solely on producing wines sourced from that AVA. All other production will move to their Central Coast and Carneros facilities.